Imagine getting divorced, but then having to live with your ex, because neither of you can afford to move. In light of the recession and collapse of the housing markets, judges and divorce lawyers say it's a situation more and more couples are dealing with around the country. In South Carolina... not so much, because the State takes divorce so seriously.
According to Greenville attorney Rodney Richey, “It is difficult in this State to be together and get a divorce… The parties don't want that. When parties file the paperwork, most of them are ready to move on, and the last person they want to live with his their spouse." However, that's what's happening around the country: couples getting divorces, but because of the economy, they can't afford to move on or move out.
Family counselor Heather Gill says there are more cons than pros when it comes to that idea. Gill says, “It just gets real messy, because if you are not in love with this person anymore, yet you are still expecting to be roommates, there is emotional baggage. I would definitely assume that's hard… I think the most difficult piece is if you have kids, because it's confusing to the children.”
It’s also a more unlikely scenario in South Carolina, since under normal circumstances, the State requires a year separation period in which both spouses cannot live under the same roof prior to a judge granting a divorce.
What both Gill and Richey are seeing are more people who would like to get a divorce staying together. “If people aren't working or laid off, and they can't afford to have lawyers, therefore they will not get a divorce, they're stuck."
So while divorcees may be shacking up in other states... Richey thinks it might be a divorce deterrent in South Carolina. “If you say, you have to live with them for a year and then get divorced, then I think people would think twice."
In the Upstate, an uncontested divorce, with no children averages about $500 -$1500.
A contested divorce, involving assets and custody issues, averages $7000-$8000.
Two books recommended by Counselor Heather Gill:
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